Synopsis
Foe (2023) is a psychological drama film directed by Garth Davis. It is a derivative work of a novel Foe, authored by Iain Reid. The film tackles issues of one’s identity, human relationships, environmental degradation, and the pervasive presence of technology in personal interactions. Foe features a combination of slow-burn tension and speculative ideas, supported by a trio of powerful performances alongside a haunting, dystopian ambiance.
The film is set in the not-so-distant future. The earth is suffering from the ill effects of climate change, and space is becoming a new home for humanity. Within this atmosphere of despair, we encounter Hen and Junior, a couple who live quite literally on the outskirts of civilization on a secluded farm in the Midwest. Their relationship is marked with emotional distress brought about by years of drifting apart.
Junior, played by Paul Mescal, is a reserved and self-facing individual who finds comfort in the routines of his farming life. Hen, played by Saoirse Ronan, is more multifaceted and longs for connection and meaning beyond their constrained existence. Their tenuous domestic balance comes undone with the arrival of a stranger, Terrance (Aaron Pierre), a representative of a space colonization program from a mega corporation.
Terrance brings with him blurring proposal that Junior is selected to live and work on an orbiting space station as part of a planetary relocation mission. However, because his absence would leave Hen alone, the corporation plans to place an advanced android replica—an artificial, lifelike version of Junior—to keep her company. Junior is incensed, but Hen’s silence suggests an emotional divide between them.
The narrative progresses to unfold in psychological layers. The dynamic between Junior and Terrance, who is conducting behavioral and emotional assessments, and the increasingly reclusive Hen, generates a noticeable strain. A number of questions arise, such as: Who accurately qualifies as a human being? What differentiates real love from programmed allegiance? And does intimacy—emotional closeness—require genuineness, or can it be simulated?
Foe creates a quiet yet palpable sense of dread, as the borders between reality and fiction, human and automaton merge. The film focuses less on the sci-fi spectacle and more the philosophical navel-gazing: pondering what it is to be deeply known and loved. The story culminates in a twist that shifts much of the context for what has preceded it, leading the audience to reexamine every interaction and every motive.
Foe’s final thoughts linger on issues of identity, autonomy, and the ethics of technology’s infiltration into the most intimate aspects of life, leaving the audience questioning long after the credits roll.
Paul Mescal as Junior
Paul Mescal plays Junior in a manner that suggests emotional layers, especially given his more recent works like Aftersun and Normal People. With quiet intensity, he embodies the deep-seated insecurities and possessiveness of a man whose identity is slipping away. Throughout the film, Mescal graples with complex emotions such as jealousy, fear, and an intense desire for control.
Saoirse Ronan as Hen
Saoirse Ronan’s portrayal adds depth and nuance to Hen, reinforcing her reputation as an impactful actress. The inner conflict of Hen, struggling between love, duty, and the yearning for independence, creates a plot that drives much of the film’s emotional weight. Through Ronan’s exceptional expressive ability, she communicates Hen’s unarticulated anger and her subdued defiance against her constrained existence.
Aaron Pierre as Terrance
As the representative of the colonization project, Aaron Pierre assumes a role that has an unsettling calm about it. His character’s disarming and intrusive traits make him a catalyst for the couple’s fragile relationship. Pierre’s performance in every scene introduces tension and moral doubts about the corporation’s aims and ethical limits, which adds to the unease of the company’s motives and boundaries.
Director: Garth Davis
Garth Davis moves into speculative fiction with Foe after his previous success Lion (2016). In Foe, he combines an existential sci-fi narrative with an intimate character study. His direction focuses on atmosphere, setting, and understated performances rather than spectacle. The film presents a subdued dystopia where much of the tension is conveyed through body language, silence, and implied threat instead of action.
Writers: Garth Davis and Iain Reid
The screenplay co written by Davis and the Original Novelist Iain Reid remains true to the emotional and intellectual themes of the source material. The novel’s essence is preserved through sparse and minimalist yet powerful dialogue that relies on non-verbal cues and ambiance instead of exposition.
Cinematography: Mátyás Erdély
The cinematography by Mátyás Erdély (Son of Saul, The Nest) is one of the film’s standout features. The couple’s emotional desolation is captured visually through the stark, vast and desolate external landscapes juxtaposed to the cramped interiors of the farmhouse. The film’s melancholic tone is also deepened through lighting that shifts from stark daylight to muted interior shadows.
Music: Oliver Coates
The score created by Oliver Coates for the Foe Film is haunting, melancholic, tense, and at times almost ethereal. The music aligns with the film’s slow pacing and emotional weight without overpowering the scenes.
IMDb Ratings
Reflecting a polarized audience reception, Foe holds an IMDb rating of 5.9/10. While some viewers appreciate the thematic ambition and contemplative pacing, others find the emotional distance and steady rhythm challenging to engage with.
Critics have noted the strong performances by Mescal and Ronan, praising their chemistry and emotional depth. Additionally, the cinematography and direction have been atmospheric commendations. However, some reviews have suggested that the film’s intself focuses on projection may be off-putting for viewers hoping for traditional sci-fi action or heavier drama.
Many people view Foe as a meditative exploration of human emotion aligned more with Ex Machina, Her, or Never Let Me Go, where the sci-fi functions as a philosophical framework rather than spectacle.
Conclusion
Foe is a methodical film focusing on the fragility of human relationships, the fear of replacement, and the implications of technology intruding into our most sacred aspects. It serves as a thought-provoking lens on the subject. Foe is not meant for viewers seeking high-octane moments or constant stimulation. Instead, it caters to those captivated by emotional subtleties, ethical dilemmas, and existential contemplation.
Foe is a profound exploration of love, identity, and what it means to be human in an ever-increasingly artificial age. The film takes on a quietly devastating tone as it showcases the magnificent work of Paul Mescal, Saoirse Ronan, and Garth Davis’s unforgettable direction. Whether one interprets it as a philosophical allegory or a cautionary tale, Foe leaves a mark on its audience long after watching it.
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